After RFK: What Clinton Must Do Right Now

Some psycho somewhere heard Senator Clinton's reprehensible reference to RFK's assassination and interpreted the words as a message: Kill Barack Obama, kill hope.

For Clinton now, any apology is meaningless. Dropping out of the race won't neutralize this poison she's thrown into the wind. Instead, decency compels her to make a pledge to the American people:

"If Barack Obama is assassinated or in any way incapacitated by an attempt on his life, I, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, will neither seek nor accept the Democratic nomination for the presidency."

Because of the Clintons' unrivaled propensity for trying to wriggle free from even the most plain meaning of language, I'm tempted to demand a more elaborate pledge: no presidential run as an independent, for example. But there aren't enough words in the world to overcome bad faith. So I'll settle for the words above and count on the American people to hold her to the spirit of the pledge if something unspeakable happens.

Whether or not Senator Clinton will make such a pledge, I call upon the superdelegates to speak up now with one voice and send their own message to the psychos, to the would-be assassins. The superdelegates must make clear that murder is not some political tool, not some new metric that will push Senator Clinton into the lead for the nomination. They must make clear that Senator Clinton WILL NOT under any circumstances become the Democratic nominee if harm comes to Senator Obama.

To all clear-minded people, I hope it now goes without saying that Senator Clinton cannot be Senator Obama's vice president. Through carelessness, callousness, or malice, Senator Clinton has now cast permanent doubt over whether her vice presidency could be anything more than an impatient vigil for the gunshots that would elevate her to the presidency.

My fellow Americans, I am utterly heartsick.

If you pray tonight, please add a prayer for the safety of our candidates.

All of them.

Even the candidate who sees Bobby Kennedy's murder as a rationale for continuing her scorched-earth run for the highest office in the land.

Comments

[Beachchick]

The Clinton's obviously don't care about public opinion. Instead, they place faith in their ability to spin the facts, with the help of a weak media, and hope the gullible and misinformed buy it. Does Senator Clinton believe she can actually win the general if she does manage to get this nomination? I think she has rendered herself unelectable.

[monkette]

Even more important is what the media needs to do right now. Which is to blacklist Hillary and refuse to give her any coverage.

She can do whatever she wants so long as she has no media outlet and is doing it out of public view.

[LilyK]

When I heard Hillary Clinton's reference to Bobby Kennedy's assassination, the first thing I thought of was the mentally unbalanced East German fan who stabbed Monica Seles during a tennis tournament in Hamburg in 1993. He did it because Ms. Seles had won the Australian Open earlier that year and was nipping at the heels of his idol, Steffi Graff, the #1 player in the world. He stabbed Monica Seles so that Steffi Graff would remain #1. He got his wish.

[DinSea]

Repudiate her life obsession with power? Never! Clintons live for it - they will never concede on any level.

The DNC and massive public outrage are the only deterrent to Clinton's unbridled lust for power. It would be wonderful if the Democratic Party and is constituency could create a firewall against Clinton candidacy in the face of any disaster befalling Barack Obama. But alak and alas, it will not happen.

Clintons have been extended every courtesy and pardon imaginable - to the detriment of our country.

Too many high-placed people still fear Clintons. Bill & Hill managed to corrupt untold numbers of people during their long fatiguing careers. Their pockets are lined with bought-and-paid-for politicians, judges, media moguls and pundits. We need a mass redemption after Barack takes office. Clintons need to be put out to pasture - preferably away from civilization. Bill can continue to peddle his name across the country for any terrorist regime he wants .... who will stop him?

[johnwinner]

This article captures th heart of why so many of us are appaled at Clinton's comments, which were totally irresponsible.

[outnow]

Assassination comments could be viewed as a veiled threat to Obama. If you believe the vast right wing conspiracy theory, Vince Foster was "done in." No doubt that Hillary wants Obama out of her path to the Whitehouse but would she even threaten such a thing? I see the affair as one of poor judgment and bad taste. Hillary, in an ideal world at least, should assure everyone that she has no such intentions. History is full of political figures getting rid of their rivals. RFK, JFK, and MLK were leading figures that someone wanted out of the way. Many Kings and some Queens were done in. There is a bad taste in my mouth that just won't go away. The Clintons are getting uglier for reasons of their self-pity and persecution delusions. They made 100 million. That should satisfy them. But I do not see the Clintons as anything other than self-serving ego maniacs out for themselves. They lack the idealism needed in the world. Experience and character are too different things. Inspiration and hope are needed, not cynical trianguilation and political cunning.

[Moose49]

"If Barack Obama is assassinated or in any way incapacitated by an attempt on his life, I, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, will neither seek nor accept the Democratic nomination for the presidency­."

I could not agree more. That is the only morally decent thing for her to do.

And you only need look as far as the contemptible Liz Trotta to see what Hillary has already wrought, whatever her intent.

Hillary should go crawl up in the hole from whence she came, lick her wounds and not come back out until she has regained some semblance of sanity.

[hopeless277]

Isn't is a wonderful world where you can garner sympathy as the victim of your own words and actions and then blame the results on the people who point it out? Life is soooo rich with meaning sometimes.

[peterg76]

I'd be happier if she just quietly withdrew from the campaign. I suspect if she brings the subject up in any way she'll just make things even worse.

[ddoston10]

if you think this will happen, you're just as delusional is she is. According to her spokesman, obama does not deserve an apology so why would she make such a pledge. Instead, she will sing ... "good things come to those who wait and hope for the best case scenario

[ConsiderChange]

To all who have respectfully posted,
Even Robert Kennedy's son realized what she meant-- and she had stated this before. At this point and time, to have the Axelrod media and major media outlets stream the "analogy possibility" of inference- that Clinton is staying in the race so the extremely remote chance of Senator Obama's demise would play into her receiving the Democratic Nomination is even lower than I'd hope to hear coming from the major outlets; then having the Obama campaign 'forgive her' is shameful.
Here's the discussion from CNN (which obviously few individuals read before stating their inflammatory comments here):

**********­**********­*******
Clinton explains RFK assassination reference
Story Highlights
From Peter Hamby
CNN Political Producer
BRANDON, South Dakota (CNN) --
...Friday night, Kennedy's son, Robert Kennedy, Jr., released a statement that said he understands the point Clinton was making and said it would be a mistake to be offended.
"I have heard her make this reference before, also citing her husband's 1992 race, both of which were hard-fought through June," he said. "I understand how highly charged the atmosphere is, but I think it is a mistake for people to take offense.".­..
Enter the title of the article and the remainder should be easily viewed.

[newpantaloons]

Please? You are citing CNN, who everyone knows is in the tank for Hillary. Maybe you should have watched the roundtable discussion on "Meet the Press". Every single reporter was thinking that she knew what she was saying. She may not have really wanted to see an "assassination", but she is staying in the race and looking to see some "catasrophe" come about so she can go on to win the presidential nomination.

The problem with this kind of comment (which she has made 3 previous times) is it brings out the crazies. On Fox Sunday, some woman named Liz Trotter, said it would be "great" if someone knocked off Osama AND Obama. Do you think this is OK? First of all, Hillary's comments are NOT TRUE. Her husband had the nomination secured before June of 1992. Also, there were plenty of instances to cite in place of Bobby Kennedy being assasinated. Make no mistake about it. This was thrown out there by her and her campaign to make people think about the fact that something could happen and so therefore, she should stay in the race. If you don't find that rather ghoulish and outrageous, then I guess there is no reaching you or any of her rabid supporters.

Here's the Fox News Sunday link: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/5/25/15389/8576/115/522617

[mmihok]

No for nothing, but RFK Jr. endorsed Hillary a few months back. Some might read something into his nonchalance about this ridiculous comment.

[Cyndee1113]

ConsiderChange,

You don't make comments like that in an attempt to let people know that it is the reason that you are staying in the race. Why do you defend her in this.? Hillary Clinton is wrong. Bobby's Kennedy's son was very careful in the use of his words.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05252008/news/nationalnews/kennedys_feel_bobby_socked_112469.htm

All of the Kennedy's did not feel that way so smoke that in your peace pipe.

[Gma11]

This is NOT about Robert Kennedy. The magnificent man died 40 years ago. This is about the hopes and dreams of a generation. NOW. This is about a courageous man who is the object of much projected hate. Hate that Hillary Clinton has unfortunately and unwisely stoked.

[HarlDelos]

Please don't say it, Hillary!

If the democrats are running a "two-for-one sale", telling a potential assassin that he can eliminate BOTH with one bullet, that might have unfortunate results.

It's like the "Impeach Cheney FIRST" bumperstickers. The best life insurance Barry has is the knowledge among potential assassins that if they shoot him, they end up with her. They might hate blacks in general, but they hate Hillary specifically.

[SamThornton]

There are some actions for which there is no reasonable explanation, no reasonable excuse. Sen. Clinton's citing the possible assassination of a political foe as a reason for continuing a campaign she cannot win otherwise would seem to fall into that category.

Everyone has an opinion, of course. Mine is that by her own actions Sen. Clinton has placed herself beyond the pale, a person who has forfeited the right to hold any elective office or to be a member of any political party that rejects assassination as a legitimate tool in the political process.

[LouisPWu]

Hillary Clinton has eliminated all doubts about her personality. She is driven by an unquenchable quest for power and a total lack of conscience. At this point, American needs a President who can inspire us to greatness. Hillary is JUST DEPRESSING.

[PLUMPLUM]

Making a pledge like that would only open the way for a right-wing nutcase to try to clear the way for their candidate. God forbid, if anything should happen to him and she has to honor the pledge what next?

This is just making my stomach ache. This woman is crazy and no one can make me believe that she did not intend to convey what most of us think. She could have used other examples but she used that one again and again. So morbid.

[trevor01]

Get a grip. You are either completely confused or a Republican tool. Hillary is not the enemy. Her supporters are not the enemy. The enemy is laughing at us. Are you laughing? I am not.

[knighthowl]

None of us are laughing, but if someone is confused it is you. You, like me, believe that Hillary is exceptionally intelligent, do you not? How would someone of her obvious intelligence make such an offensive statement? The very best spin that can be placed on her statement is that it was a slip of her subconscious mind. If she was seeking to point out primary campaigns that went into or beyond June, there are FAR better examples - and SHE knows it.

It is you who needs to get a grip. Admirable as some of her qualities are, some screw is loose in Hillary's psyche. What other candidate in U.S. history "misspoke" about being under sniper fire? Now this.

I can reach no conclusion other than that Hillary is seriously unbalanced. I voted for her in the California primary, but would not do so now.

[Cyndee1113]

trevor01

Now you are sounding like Hillary. Why put her supporters in this. Her supporters did not make the comment. Hillary did, Chill yourself!!

[druhanson]

Who could trust anything the Clinton's agree to? Even if they give it to us in writing, they would still welch on it.

She knew and knows exactly what she's up to.

1) Obama told her there was no way that her and Bill would be VP on his ticket.

2) She said if that was going to be the case then she would destroy his chances of becoming the next pres and she would hand the election to McCain.

3)She knew her bringing up RFK would cause a big stir up and the Clinton's could spin it as more Clinton bashing , further galvanizing her base to not vote for Obama or vote for McCain.

4) It's all about Clinton and 2012.

[AdamsHouseCat]

Insensitive /demeaning commentary directed toward the Welch?

[NorVaGal]

Mr. Quigg: This is a fantastic post. I've been wondering what on the face of this earth Sen. Clinton could do to try to reverse this damage. I was unable to envision a solution.

Sen. Clinton's poor record honoring her pledges has been duly noted by others, and I agree with their assessments. But, at least your suggestion would be a huge start. I sincerely pray that some of her supporters who TRULY care about her, will help Hillary finally realize the enormity of her trespasses. Assassination is not your everyday run-of-the-mill political football. She should NEVER have uttered that word in connection to any campaign, especially not this one where racial tensions are at an all time high level.

Let us pray that she will have the courage to admit her mistake, SINCERELY apologize, and forever renounce any ambitions of becoming POTUS. It's the least that she can and should do.